By DANIEL PSIRMOI and GRACE WEKESA
Bungoma, Kenya: Candidates in the Bungoma County senatorial race are set to present their nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) starting Thursday.
Former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli of Labour Party of Kenya will be the first candidate to present his nomination papers to IEBC.
He will be followed by New Ford-Kenya flag bearer Musikari Kombo who is expected to be accompanied by his party leader, former minister Eugene Wamalwa, and Amani coalition members.
Journalist David Makali is also expected to present his papers later in the day. Makali will be vying for the senatorial seat as an independent candidate.
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After presenting the nomination papers, Kombo will embark on a campaign tour around Bungoma and later head for the Posta grounds for a political rally.
The CORD alliance candidate Moses Wetang’ula is expected to present his nomination papers to the electoral commission on Friday.
CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka are expected to escort Wetang’ula together with the coalition’s other elected leaders.
The entourage will later head for Posta grounds for a political rally during which they will roll out a campaign calendar for the by-election.
Meanwhile, the Tachoni Council of Elders has endorsed Kombo for the senate post.
Kombo’s campaign got the boost a day before the campaigns began.
Speaking in Webuye, the council chairman, Job Shiundu, said the community’s support for Kombo was the beginning of his journey to victory.
He added that the relationship between the Tachoni and Bukusu people in Bungoma County was flourishing.
“The Tachoni, through the council of elders, endorse Kombo’s candidature because we believe in his ability to unite the people of Bungoma,” he said.
The elders called on the electorate to maintain peace during the campaign period and on the voting day.
Former Kwanza MP Noah Wekesa dismissed those calling for Luhya unity in the county, terming it propaganda being used to discredit Kombo’s campaign.
Wekesa referred to Wetang’ula’s campaign as a platform for discrimination since other minority groups living in the county have not been factored into his strategies.
“Luhya unity should come from voters of Bungoma but should not be used as election propaganda against Kombo by our rivals. I urge the electorate to come out in large numbers next month and vote for Kombo,” he said.
Eugene said the party has the support of all Luhya sub-tribes in the county and also minority groups like the Sabaot.
